Panic ATTACK!!I'm getting them!?

Question

I'm getting panic attacks regularly. I'm sure it's a panic disorder. I get confused when this happens at school and become blank. I cannot share this with anybody at school as no one understands. I'm 14 and I dunno when this will stop. I feel suicidal. I feel there is no cause to my living if all my life i have to suffer this. Panic attacks are a nightmare and I need support. I've been to emergency about a hundred times thinking this was something else.
I get a panic attack whenever I think about my last panic attack. I feel like it's happening due to exam stress. My exams start day after tomorrow. Final exams! Can you suggest a useful procedure that I can carry out during a panic attack at home? I havent consulted a psychologist yet. I can't sleep at night. I feel like im gonna faint or i'm dying. This is the worst thing that can happen to u. Please respond if you are experienced and u know what a panic attack is.
HELP! coz i'm sooo helpless.

Answer 1

First I want to emphasize that you really need to find someone you can trust to talk to about this, some sort of counselor or a professional therapist. However, I can try to offer you some ways to help.

The first thing is to realize that you are NOT helpless, there are some things you can do, starting right now, that will improve your situation.

The worst thing you can do is spend more time thinking and worrying about getting a panic attack. This creates a vicious cycle. Reading about panic attacks online is probably the worst thing you can do. Words are powerful and suggestive, and when you read about panic disorders, or talk to people about them, it can make you more likely to have one, because it will make you feel more helpless. You need to start thinking and talking about being empowered to overcome these feelings, and to be relaxed and calm.

There are natural ways of centering and relaxing your mind and body. You can train yourself in these skills to the point where you are able to both prevent panic attacks and handle them better when they happen. Part of this is taking responsibility for your own well-being, realizing that you are in control of your own mind and body and have the power and ability to stop these things.

Do you play any sports or do any physical activities? Martial arts, Yoga, and Tai Chi are all excellent ways to develop these mental abilities, to be relaxed and in control. Various forms of meditation are very useful for this too. Find something like this that you think you would enjoy--it will not be easy but the rewards will be great.

Regular exercise will also help you. I don't mean a lot of exercise--just something simple. Try to do something every day, like going on a walk. This will help you sleep better too, since it will make your body tired in a good way.

When you have a panic attack, or if you feel like you're going to have one, you need to identify what you can do in order to feel better. Do people relax you, or make you feel worse? If you can identify certain people who make you feel better, you may want to focus your mind on those people, whether they're with you or not. Another thing is your physical surroundings--it is common for people to feel more anxiety when they are in a closed space, or a space that is more chaotic. Sometimes you may want to step outside or into a more ordered space, or a space that has more pleasant lighting. All these things can help you feel better.

Another thing you can do to help is to keep your personal space a safe place for you to be. If you are used to having panic attacks in your room, you need to find ways to associate your room with feelings of relaxation and safety. One way is to spend time doing something fun and relaxing in your room.

Like I said before, this advice is not a substitute for professional advice--I urge you to find someone to talk to. But you also need to know that you can and will overcome this. It will be gradual and may take a lot of work, but the first step is realizing that you are not helpless, that there are things you can do.

I hope this can be helpful.

Answer 2

Theres a lot of good advice here. And often get anxiety and have had a couple of panic attacks too and i know exactly how you feel about thinking back on the past panic, thats part of the think that draws me back from moving on, the worry that it will happen again!! But beleive me, its so common and your not alone, maybe in your life you may feel like it but there really is soo many people out the who suffer exactly the same thing. I'm slowly comming away from it now, but i know its a long journey ahead still and i can say that your young, like me!
and don't condem yourself!! It's a tramatic thing to experience and it will can make you feel extremly fragile and vunerable, so you dont be hard on yourself if you have the same feelings.
I believe that theres a reason for most of these problems, and you yourself will have to investigate what this is, but thats a good thing, honestly, don't look back at one the thing that may be that set of the anxiety in you with anger, theres no point, be greatfull that you can learn from this to be more aware of yourself and your feelings and your thinking habbits, some people go a liftetime just over reacting to situations and putting blame everywhere without realising whats making them angry, or sad, or panicy, so therefore will not be able to get over it.
Your not alone! And society today can be very stressfull but like i said don't condem yourself if you can't do well at your exams right not, lifes not a race and like socrates said the most important thing in life is to know yourself!
Email me if you need to talk x

Answer 3

I know what you're going through..i'm 23 years old and I went through the same thing through my teen years and still occasionally get a panic attack. I used to get them when I had to go to work or school, so yes, I believe they are stress induced. Don't feel like you are alone in the world..lots of people have this problem. One thing I might suggest is seeing a doctor about some medication because it sounds like you might have some depression going on there, too. I found Paxil to be very effective with my panic attacks. When you get a panic attack, close your eyes and try to control your breathing, as hard as that may sound it helps. Take deep breaths and tell yourself you're stronger than whatever is stressing you out and you can beat it. Put on some soft, relaxing music...something that will put you at ease. And another good suggestion would be when you get them, find someone you can confide in and talk to them. Sometimes just getting your feelings out in the open can relieve a whole lot of stress. I hope my advice helps and just remember, you're stronger than the stress. Good luck!

Answer 4

Speaking from someone who can remember having her first panic attack at 6, drugs are not the answer. What you need to do is break the cycle of thinking a panic attack gets you in. Panic attacks start freaking out your brain and you start with "What If" questions. What if I have a panic attack during class? What if I have a panic attack in front of my boyfriend? What if I stop breathing? Anytime you start thinking or worrying about when the next one will come, you need to find something else to do with your mind. I usually start spelling out states and cities. Start singing your favorite song in your head, whatever it takes. I also recommend cutting down the sugar and the caffeine. I know this will be hard for a 14-year-old to do, but IT HELPS SO MUCH! Why consume something that makes you anxious and nervous when you already are?

Answer 5

I suffered from severe anxiety like you do for years. First off, I know you are probably afraid of doctors too. I was. The feeling that you are going to pass out or die is a normal fear when having an attack. You should find comfort in knowing that hundreds of thousands of people who suffer from the same thing think the same things you do and it never happens.
The worst fears you fear while having one never do come true. The best thing you can do is see a doctor. He can prescribe you medication that will make your life so much better.
Severe anxiety is a very lonely condition because you don't feel people would understand and a lot of people tell you it's in your head and to get over it. They do this because they just don't understand how real it is.
Breathe full breaths with your stomach, not chest. Tell yourself positive things like what I fear will not come true and know that there is help readily available. You are one of MANY so seek the treatment you need. Don't live another day that way because you have the choice to change it.

Answer 6

Breath slowly and calmly, and drink warm saltwater. I know this sounds disgusting, but it helps when you're expiriencing an attack. To prevent them, try getting a hobby, maybe join an extracurricular activity. And LIGHTEN UP! That is the key.

I used to have attacks fairly regularly, but by doing these things I have them under control. Medication works for some, but I find that it doesn't help me.

PS-Only drink the saltwater when you're having an attack. Or you could breathe into a paper bag, but that would call a lot of attention to you, and from what you said, it seems as if you don't want people to know about this.

Answer 7

Dear Mysterios Eyes,
I have panic and anxiety attacks. I'm a mother of two children grandmother of two. I'm 48 years old. I started having panic attacks when I was in my early thirtys. I was ending up in the emergency room. I felt as though I was going crazy.I couldn't breath,I was having chest pains, I felt like I was going to pass out. I was sweating, then I became cold,I became sick on my stomach. It was awlful. Till I found a local doctor who would listen. I told him how I was feeling.He put me on medicine called Xanax. I went one a unti-depressent called Zoloft.You need to get to a good doctor who will listen and get you a counselor. These two go hand in hand. It helps to talk to someone other then someone who is close to you.This disorder does come from stress. It can be genetic. My Mother had it, So does my whole family. If you get the right medicine the panic attacks will go away. It is hope. One thing I forgot to tell you. my husband and I had a child who was born premature. He died 6 months later with crib death. But the Lord blessed us with a beautiful baby girl. She is 16 years old now. So see there is hope. Also we couldn't of came through this without the Lord. God can see us through anything.If you believe in him. He did us. I really hope this will help you. I'm praying for you. God Bless You....

Answer 8

You can go to the school psychologist.

You should tell your parents and if you don't think you can have the school psychologist call them.

There is medication you can take that will help but you should have 'talk therapy' also as this will help you get better faster.

I didn't take any medication the 1st time I had panic attacks but I did the 2nd time. I have had some since but as soon as I realize what it is I can control it. You will be able to also.

Answer 9

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 10

I have a friend who suffered from this same problem, and after visiting the doctor they found out she had an anxiety disorder. You don't need to talk to a psychologist, if this continues you NEED to see a doctor or you could start passing out. Your doctor might give you a medication or he may refer you to a psychologist so you won't have to go searching for one. It helps if you carefully plan out your study time and try not to worry so much... It sounds simple but it's hard, you just have to fight to control your own mind. Make a list in your mind of all the things you need to do, then write it down. That always really helps me!